Love and Other Words

At the beginning of the story, the narrator reveals that she and Elliot had a falling out 11 years ago but does not specify what happened. How does the undisclosed event shape the rest of the story? What is the narrative effect of withholding the full picture until the end?

How does grief shape Macy’s personality and character? How does her relationship with Elliot affect her grief and vice versa?

One critique of modern romance fiction is that it sets up unrealistic expectations about relationships. Do you think this story does that? In what ways are Macy and Elliot realistic or unrealistic in the way they treat one another?